Shade lifting mechanism

ABSTRACT

A window covering positioning system including a tube to facilitate raising and lowering of a window covering. The system further includes a rotational drive mechanism attached to the tube to drive rotation of the tube about an axis of the tube and an axial drive mechanism connected to the tube to drive movement of the tube in an axial direction. The axial drive mechanism is circumferentially disposed within the tube. A kit is further provided. The kit includes a tube around which a cord of a window covering is positioned and a rotational drive mechanism to rotate the tube about an axis of the tube. The kit further includes an axial drive mechanism to advance the tube in an axial direction and a connector to rotatably connect the tube to the axial drive mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/911,053, filed on Apr. 10, 2007, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Mechanisms for raising and lowering window coverings. More specifically,mechanisms for raising and lowering window coverings without overlappingcoils of the window covering cords.

2. Background

Window coverings play a dual role for the customer. On the one hand,they block light from coming through during the day. On the other hand,they provide privacy during the night. One type of covering typicallyused to block light is a roller shade because it is simple andfunctional. Roller shades, however, are typically not very decorative.Another type of window covering is a folding shade. Folding shades aremade in many different styles and decorative materials can be used toachieve a desired appearance. Venetian blinds and mini blinds havinghorizontal slats which can be rotated to open the blind while the blindis still covering the window are another example of a window covering.

Hanging window coverings such as roller shades, folding shades, Venetianand mini blinds may be raised and lowered in many different ways. Thecoverings are typically equipped with lifting cords attached to thebottom of the covering which may be pulled up or let loose to raise orlower the shade. In some cases a lifting mechanism, commonly referred toas a cord locking mechanism, is used to control the positioning of thelifting cords. The cord locking mechanism utilizes a cord lock housingthrough which the lifting cords pass. The cord lock holds the cords inplace thereby keeping the shade in a desired position until the cordsare pulled to one side to release the lock. The cord locking mechanismis useful for small and medium size shades, but is not very functionalfor larger shades. In addition, the cord locking mechanism does notprovide any mechanical advantage and significant forces are required tolift larger shades.

Another technique for lifting a shade uses a rolling mechanism. In thistechnique, the lifting cords are usually rolled up on a tube or a rod. Aclutch attached to the end of the tube is rotated by pulling on a mainlift cord, for example a bead chain, inserted into a sprocket of theclutch. Lifting cords attached to the tube rotate around the tube toeither raise or lower the shade. Conventional rolling mechanisms,however, have many disadvantages. In particular, lifting cords will rollon top of each other eventually causing the shade to be lifted orlowered unevenly. In addition, when the cords roll up on top of eachother they may cause one side of the shade to lift faster than theother. In rolling mechanisms where the cords initially roll up in aspiral fashion, the portions of the cords being rolled around the tubeshift in relation to the shade thereby pulling the shade from side toside. In this aspect, the shade will slide to one side of the windowleaving the other side with an undesirable gap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein are illustrated by way of example and not by wayof limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily tothe same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window covering positioning mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a window covering positioningmechanism along line A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a window covering positioningmechanism along line B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a window covering positioning mechanism with awindow covering in a lowered position.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the window covering positioning mechanism ofFIG. 4 with the window covering in a raised position.

FIG. 6 is a back view of the window covering positioning mechanism ofFIG. 5 with the window covering in the raised position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a back side of a window coveringpositioning mechanism with a window covering in a lowered position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a back side of a window coveringpositioning mechanism with a window covering in a raised position.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for assembling a window coveringpositioning mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window covering positioning mechanism.Rotational drive mechanism 104 and axial drive mechanism 106 may beconnected to tube 102 to drive movement of tube 102. Movement of tube102 in turn raises or lowers a window covering attached to tube 102 viacords 122 a and 122 b. Tube 102 may be of any size and be made of anymaterial suitable for supporting a desired window covering. In someembodiments, tube 102 may be made of a plastic or metal material. Tube102 may be hollow such that components of window covering positioningmechanism 100 may be positioned within tube 102. In this aspect, aportion of tube 102 is shown removed in FIG. 1 to illustrate features ofrotational drive mechanism 104 and axial drive mechanism 106 positionedtherein.

Rotational drive mechanism 104 may be connected to tube 102 at its endand rotate tube 102 about its longitudinal axis. Rotation of tube 102causes cords 122 a and 122 b to either coil around tube 102 or uncoilfrom tube 102 depending upon the direction of tube 102 rotation.

Upon rotation of tube 102 by rotational drive mechanism 104, axial drivemechanism 106 causes tube 102 to advance in an axial direction. Thus, astube 102 rotates it also slides away from or toward rotational drivemechanism 104. Cords 122 a and 122 b coiled around tube 102 move fromside to side along with tube 102. A vertical position of the portion ofcords 122 a and 122 b not yet coiled around tube 102, however, ismaintained in the same place relative to rotational drive mechanism 104.In this aspect, each coil of cords 122 a and 122 b may be wrapped aroundtube 102 one next to another with the vertical position of cords 122 aand 122 b maintained in the same place. Since the coils of each of cords122 a and 122 b do not roll up on top of one another and the portion ofcords 122 a and 122 b extending from tube 102 to an end of the windowcovering do not change their vertical positions, the window covering maybe raised in a uniform manner and without undesirable shifting of thewindow covering from side to side.

In some embodiments, rotational drive mechanism 104 may be a clutchmechanism. In still further embodiments, rotational drive mechanism 104may be a tubular motor, spring motor or any other similarly suitablemechanism for driving rotation of tube 102. A rotatable housing 112 mayextend from a surface of rotational drive mechanism 104. Housing 112 maybe a substantially cylindrical structure positioned around a pulley 304(see FIG. 3) of rotational drive mechanism 104. Pulling on main cord 144(e.g. bead chain) positioned within a sprocket of pulley 304, rotatespulley 304 and in turn rotates housing 112. Components of rotationaldrive mechanism 104, for example, pulley 304 and housing 112, may bemade of any material suitable for driving rotation of tube 102.Representative suitable materials may include, but are not limited to,metals and plastics.

Housing 112 may be positioned within an end portion of tube 102. In thisaspect, housing 112 may have an outer diameter slightly smaller than aninner diameter of tube 102. Housing 112 and tube 102 may havecomplimentary surface dimensions such that housing 112 engages tube 102upon rotation and causes rotation of tube 102. In some embodiments, thecomplimentary dimensions may include key 116 extending from an innersurface of tube 102 and receiving groove 114 formed along an outersurface of housing 112. Key 116 is a protrusion extending inwardly froman inner surface of tube 102. Key 116 catches in groove 114 when housing112 rotates causing rotation of tube 102 in the same direction ashousing 112. Groove 114 is slightly larger than key 116 to ensure easeof engagement of these two components. Key 116 and groove 114 mayfurther be dimensioned to allow key 116 to slide from side to sidewithin groove 114 when tube 102 is advanced in the axial direction. Forexample, in some embodiments, groove 114 may have a width of 0.300inches and a depth of 0.125 inches while key 116 has a width of 0.280inches and a height of 0.100 inches.

Although a key and groove type engagement mechanism between tube 102 andhousing 112 is described, it is contemplated that any other similarlysuitable engagement mechanism may be used to attach tube 102 to housing112 during rotation of housing 112. Representatively, in someembodiments a slot may be cut out of tube 102 and a dowel pin fixedlyattached to housing 112 may slide inside the slot.

Axial drive mechanism 106 may extend from a stationary base member ofrotational drive mechanism 104 to drive movement of tube 102 in an axialdirection. Representatively, where rotational drive mechanism 104 is aclutch mechanism, axial drive mechanism 106 may be fixedly secured tostationary base member 110 of the clutch mechanism. Alternatively, axialdrive mechanism 106 may be fixedly secured to a stationary bracket 138positioned at an end of tube 102. It is contemplated that in someembodiments, stationary bracket 138 may be integrally formed with basemember 110 to form the stationary component. Axial drive mechanism 106may be secured to the stationary component by, for example, screws,bolts, clips or any other similarly suitable securing mechanism.

In some embodiments, axial drive mechanism 106 may be a cylindricalshaft, such as a screw, circumferentially disposed within tube 102 andhousing 112. Representatively, axial drive mechanism 106 may extend fromstationary base member 110 through housing 112 and beyond an end ofhousing 112. In this aspect, an outer diameter of axial drive mechanism106 may be smaller than an inner diameter of housing 112.Representatively, in some embodiments, a diameter of axial drivemechanism 106 may be Ø 0.290 inches.

Cylindrical connector 118 may be fixedly secured to an inner surface oftube 102 and positioned around axial drive mechanism 106. Helicalthreading 108 may be formed around an outer surface of axial drivemechanism 106. Connector 118 may in turn have complimentary threading tothat of axial drive mechanism 106. Rotation of tube 102 as previouslydescribed rotates connector 118 which in turn causes connector 118 tofollow threading 108 of axial drive mechanism 106. This in turn forcestube 102 to follow threading 108 and advance along axial drive mechanism106 in an axial direction. Tube 102 may be advanced in a directiontoward or away from rotational drive mechanism 104 depending upon thedirection rotational drive mechanism 104 rotates tube 102.

Axial drive mechanism 106 may be dimensioned to advance tube 102 aspecific distance with every rotation of tube 102. In some embodiments,the distance may be equal to a diameter of cords 122 a and 122 battached to tube 102. In this aspect, each coil of cords 122 a and 122 bmay be positioned next to the previously wound coil to preventoverlapping of cords 122 a and 122 b.

In one embodiment, the desired advancement distance may be achieved bymodifying a pitch of helical threading 108 of axial drive mechanism 106.The term “pitch” as used herein refers to the distance between twoadjacent threads. Representatively, where a diameter of the lifting cordis 0.052 inches, the pitch of helical threading 108 on axial drivemechanism 106 may be 0.056 inches. In this aspect, tube 102 will move0.056 inches in the axial direction with each complete rotation of tube102.

Connector 118 may be secured to tube 102 with screw 120 or any othersimilarly suitable securing mechanism such as a bolt, clip or pin.Alternatively, connector 118 may be integrally formed from or moldedalong an inner surface of tube 102. Axial drive mechanism 106 andconnector 118 may be made of any material suitable for driving movementof tube 102. Representative suitable materials, may include, but are notlimited to, a plastic or metal material.

In some embodiments, cord clips 124 a and 124 b may be attached to anouter surface of tube 102 to secure an end of cords 122 a and 122 b totube 102. In some embodiments, cord clip 124 a may have body portion 126a and base portion 128 a. Cord clip 124 b may further have body portion126 b and base portion 128 b. Securing arms 146 a and 146 b for holdingcords 122 a and 122 b, respectively, may extend from body portions 126 aand 126 b. Securing arms 146 a and 146 b may be, for example, clampsdesigned to clamp onto an end of cords 122 a and 122 b, respectively.Alternatively, securing arms 146 a and 146 b may be ring like structureshaving an opening through which the end of cords 122 a and 122 b,respectively, may be inserted and then tied to itself or the ring.

Cord clips 124 a and 124 b may be secured to tube 102 by inserting themwithin channel 148 formed along an outer surface of tube 102. In thisaspect, base portions 128 a and 128 b may have shapes complimentary to acurvature of the outer surface of tube 102. A protrusion (not shown) mayextend from each of base portions 128 a and 128 b. The protrusion may bedimensioned to fit within channel 148. In some embodiments, channel 148may be formed along a portion of tube 102 opposite key 116. In someembodiments, cord clips 124 a and 124 b are removeably positioned withinchannel 148 to facilitate easy removal or readjustment of cord clips 124a and 124 b. Cord clips 124 a and 124 b may be made of any materialsuitable for securing cords 122 a and 122 b to tube 102.Representatively, cord clips 124 a and 124 b may be made of a plastic,metal or rubber material.

Although two cord clips 124 a and 124 b are illustrated, the number ofcord clips may vary depending upon the number of cords.Representatively, two cords 122 a and 122 b are illustrated in FIG. 1therefore two cord clips 124 a and 124 b are used. The number of cordsmay vary depending upon the size and/or material of the window covering.Representatively, as a width of the window covering increases, more thantwo cords may be necessary to support and lift the window covering. Inaddition, window coverings made of heavier materials, such as wood asopposed to fabric or plastic may require more than two lifting cords tosupport and lift the window covering.

Shade covering positioning mechanism 100 may further include hardware tosupport components of mechanism 100. The hardware may include bracket138 connected to rotational drive mechanism 104. Bracket 138 may beremoveably attached to stationary base member 110 of rotational drivemechanism 104. For example, stationary base member 110 may be screwed orclipped to bracket 138. It is further contemplated that in someembodiments, bracket 138 may be integrally formed with stationary basemember 110 of rotational drive mechanism 104.

Brackets 130 a and 130 b may further be provided to support tube 102.Each of brackets 130 a and 130 b may include bushing member 132 a and132 b, respectively. Bushing members 132 a and 132 b may be positionedaround tube 102. Bushing members 132 a and 132 b may have an innerdiameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of tube 102 so that tube102 may be easily rotated within bushing members 132 a and 132 b.Although two brackets 130 a and 130 b are illustrated in FIG. 1, it iscontemplated that more than two or less than two brackets may be useddepending upon the length of tube 102. Tube 102 may be secured tobrackets 130 a and 130 b by inserting bushing members 132 a and 132 bover an end of tube 102 and then moving bushing members 132 a and 132 balong tube 102 until a desired position is reached.

Brackets 130 a, 130 b and 138 may be removeably secured to aligning rail140. Aligning rail 140 may in turn be mounted to a structure above awindow to secure the entire window covering assembly in front of thewindow. Aligning rail 140 may include channels 142 to receive bracketarms 608 a, 608 b and 606 (see FIG. 6) extending from ends of brackets130 a, 130 b and 138, respectively. To secure brackets 130 a, 130 b and138 to aligning rail 140, bracket arms 608 a, 608 b and 606 may beinserted into ends of channels 142 formed at the edge of aligning rail140 and then slid along aligning rail 140 until a desired position isreached. Brackets 130 a, 130 b, 138 and aligning rail 140 may be made ofany material suitable for supporting a window covering. Representativesuitable materials, may include, but are not limited to, a plastic ormetal material.

In some embodiments, window covering positioning mechanism 100 furtherincludes a pair of stop rings 134 a and 134 b to limit rotation andadvancement of tube 102. Stop rings 134 a and 134 b are substantiallycylindrical structures positioned around tube 102. Stop rings 134 a and134 b may be fixedly attached to tube 102 by, for example, screw 136.Alternatively, stop rings 134 a and 134 b may have a protrusion similarto that of cord clips 124 a and 124 b extending from an inner surfacewhich may be inserted into channel 148 to hold stop rings 134 a and 134b in place. As will be described in more detail in reference to FIG. 6,stop rings 134 a and 134 b may have a shoulder 602 extending from anedge adjacent brackets 130 a and 130 b, respectively. Brackets 130 a and130 b may in turn have oppositely positioned shoulders 604 extendingfrom edges of bushing members 132 a and 132 b which catch on theshoulders of stop rings 134 a and 134 b to stop rotation and advancementof tube 102. In this aspect, lower and upper lifting limits may be setfor window covering positioning mechanism 100.

For example, a lower limit (i.e. furthest distance the window coveringmay be lowered) may be set by positioning stop ring 134 a at a positionalong tube 102 such that the shoulder of stop ring 134 a and theshoulder of bushing member 134 a engage one another as shown in FIG. 1when the window covering is in the lowest desired position (i.e. aclosed position). An upper lifting limit (i.e. the furthest distance thewindow covering may be raised) may be set by positioning stop ring 134 bat a position along tube 102 such that the shoulder of stop ring 134 band the shoulder of bushing member 132 b engage one another when thewindow covering is in the highest desired position (i.e. an openposition). In some embodiments, the upper lifting limit may be set sothat the window covering does not contact tube 102 or other componentsof the assembly which could damage the window covering upon repeatedcontact. In addition, a consideration of the length of axial drivemechanism 106 may be taken into account when setting the upper liftinglimit. Representatively, stop ring 134 b may be positioned so thatadvancement of tube 102 is stopped before connector 108 reaches an endof axial drive mechanism 106. In still further embodiments, the lowerlifting limit may be set so that lowering of the window covering isstopped once the window covering reaches a bottom of the window.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a window covering positioningmechanism along line A of FIG. 1. Connector 118 is shown positionedaround axial drive mechanism 106. Connector 118 rotates about axialdrive mechanism 106 as previously discussed. Tube 102 is fixedly securedalong a surface of connector 118 opposite axial drive mechanism 106. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, screw 120 is used to secure tube102 to connector 118. In this aspect, as tube 102 rotates, connector 118in turn rotates and follows the helical threading around axial drivemechanism 106 to advance tube 102 in the axial direction.

Channel 148 is formed within tube 102. In some embodiments, channel 148is formed in a portion of tube 102 opposite screw 120. Retaining arms202 a and 202 b may extend partially across an opening of channel 148 toretain a cord clip therein. Representatively, as previously discussed,the cord clip, for example cord clip 124 a, may have a protrusionextending from its base. The protrusion of cord clip 124 a may be asubstantially “T” shaped structure such that once the protrusion ispositioned within channel 148, the end, bar portion of the protrusioncatches on retaining arms 202 a and 202 b and is held therein. In thisaspect, the bar portion of the protrusion may be flexible so that theprotrusion may be deformed during insertion of the protrusion intochannel 148 and then reform to its original shape. Alternatively,retaining arms 202 a and 202 b may be flexible. In other embodiments,retaining arms 202 a and 202 b and the protrusion may be made of aninflexible material and snap fit together. In still further embodiments,the protrusion of cord clip 124 a may be inserted into the opening ofchannel 148 found at the end of tube 102 and slid along channel 148until the desired positioned is reached. Regardless of the manner inwhich cord clip 124 a is secured to channel 148, clip 124 a isdimensioned to snugly within channel 148 to prevent sliding of cord clip124 a and in turn cord 122 a attached thereto along tube 102. Althoughcord clip 124 a is described above, it is contemplated that thedescription further applies to cord clip 124 b.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a window covering positioningmechanism along line B of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, axial drivemechanism 106 is shown positioned within an opening of pulley 304 ofrotational drive mechanism 104. Pulley 304 includes one or more of driveedge 306. Drive edge 306 catches on an edge of groove 114 extending froman inner surface of housing 112 when pulley 304 is rotated to causerotation of housing 112.

In some embodiments, sleeve 302 may be positioned along an end portionof tube 102 proximal to rotational drive mechanism 104. Sleeve 302protects an end of tube 102 from wear and tear that may result due tocontact of tube 102 and rotational drive mechanism 104. Sleeve 302 maybe a cylindrical member having a rim extending from its edge. Thecylindrical portion of sleeve 302 may be inserted within tube 102 andthe rim may extend from the cylindrical portion over an edge of tube102. The rim may have a length equal to a thickness of tube 102 so asnot to extend beyond an outer surface of tube 102.

The cylindrical portion of sleeve 302 may have an outer diameterslightly smaller than an inner diameter of tube 102 such that it snuglyfits within an end of tube 102 and is held therein. In some embodiments,sleeve 302 may be made of an elastomeric material such as rubber thatconforms to the dimensions of the inner surface of tube 102.Alternatively, sleeve 302 may be made of any plastic or metal materialsuitable for protecting an end of tube 102. In some embodiments, anadhesive or other securing mechanism such as a screw or clip may be usedto hold sleeve 302 within tube 102.

Housing 112 and tube 102 may be symmetrical about their axes. In thisaspect, housing 112 includes a second groove formed opposite to groove114 and tube 102 includes a second key formed opposite to key 116 to fitwithin the second groove as illustrated in FIG. 3. Tube 102 furtherincludes a second channel formed opposite to channel 148 havingretaining arms 202.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the window covering positioning mechanism witha window covering in a lowered position (i.e. closed position). Windowcovering positioning mechanism 100 of FIG. 4 is substantially similar tothat of FIG. 1 and includes the same components. A portion of tube 102is shown removed in FIG. 4 to illustrate features of rotational drivemechanism 104 and axial drive mechanism 106 positioned within tube 102.In addition, the rim portion of sleeve 302 connected to the end of tube102 is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the window covering isin its lowest position therefore only a couple coils of cords 122 a and122 b are shown around tube 102. Tube 102 is positioned adjacentrotational drive mechanism 104 when cords 122 a and 122 b are fullyextended. In this position, stop ring 134 a catches on bushing member132 a of bracket 130 a so that cords 122 a and 122 b may not be unwoundfrom tube 102 any further.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the window covering positioning mechanism ofFIG. 4 with the window covering in a raised position (i.e. openposition). In this embodiment, the window covering has been raised to anopen position by advancing tube 102 in direction 502 away fromrotational drive mechanism 104. The window covering is in its highestposition and therefore cords 122 a and 122 b are almost fully coiledaround tube 102. As previously discussed, tube 102 is advanced bypulling main cord 144 which in turn causes rotation and advancement oftube 102. During advancement, cords 122 a and 122 b are wound aroundtube 102 in a side by side arrangement as shown. Stop ring 134 beventually engages with bushing member 132 b of bracket 130 b to preventany further raising of the window covering.

FIG. 6 is a back view of the window covering positioning mechanism ofFIG. 5 with the window covering in the raised position. A detail view isprovided to illustrate engagement of shoulder 602 of stop ring 134 b andshoulder 604 of bushing member 132 b. Shoulder 602 extends from an edgeof stop ring 134 b. Shoulder 604 extends from an edge of bushing member132 b. Once tube 102 is rotated and advanced to a desired limit,shoulder 602 catches on shoulder 604 and prevents any further rotationof tube 102. This in turn prevents the user from raising the windowcovering any farther.

When tube 102 is rotated in an opposite direction to lower the windowcovering, shoulders 602 and 604 of stop ring 132 b and bushing member134 b, respectively, are dislodged from one another and tube 102advances in an axial direction toward rotational drive mechanism 104.Eventually, if rotation and advancement of tube 102 continues in thesame direction, stop ring 134 a comes into contact with bushing member132 a of bracket 130 a. The shoulders of stop ring 134 a and bushingmember 132 a catch on one another to stop rotation and in turnadvancement of tube 102. This prevents the window covering from beinglowered any further.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, aligning rail 140 is removedand bracket arms 608 a, 608 b and 606 extending from ends of brackets130 a, 130 b and 138, respectively, are shown.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a back side of a window coveringpositioning mechanism with a window covering in a lowered position.Window covering positioning mechanism 100 is substantially the same asthe window covering positioning mechanism discussed in reference to theprevious figures and includes the same components. In this embodiment,window covering 702 is shown attached to window covering positioningmechanism 100. In some embodiments, window covering 702 is a foldingshade made of a cloth material. A top edge of window covering 702 may beattached to aligning rail 140 using any suitable securing mechanism.Representatively, suitable securing mechanisms for securing the top edgeof window covering 702 to aligning rail 140 may include screws, bolts orclips. Cords 122 a and 122 b are attached along an inner surface and atthe end of window covering 702 to raise and lower window covering 702.In this embodiment, cords 122 a and 122 b are almost fully extended sothat window covering 702 is in the closed position. Although a foldingshade is described, it is further contemplated that window coveringpositioning mechanism 100 may be used with other types of windowcoverings such as flat folding shades, soft folding shades, balloonshades or natural woven shades.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a back side of a window coveringpositioning mechanism with a window covering in a raised position.Window covering positioning mechanism 100 is substantially the same asthe window covering positioning mechanism discussed in reference to theprevious figures and includes the same components. In this embodiment,cords 122 a and 122 b are shown almost fully coiled around tube 102 sothat window covering 702 is in the open position.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method 900 for assembling a window coveringpositioning mechanism. To assemble window covering positioning mechanism100, rotational drive mechanism 104 is attached to an end of tube 102(block 902). Housing 112 of rotational drive mechanism 104 is positionedwithin tube 102. Groove 114 of housing 112 and key 116 of tube 102 maybe aligned to facilitate rotation of housing 102. Axial drive mechanism106 is further positioned within tube 102 as previously discussed. Axialdrive mechanism 106 is rotatably connected to an inner surface of tube102 (block 904). In some embodiments, connector 118 and screw 106 areused to connect axial drive mechanism 106 and tube 102. In this aspect,connector 118 is positioned around axial drive mechanism 106 and screw120 is screwed through an outer surface of tube 102 and into connector118. Brackets 130 a and 130 b may be connected to tube 102 and bracket138 may be connected to rotational drive mechanism 104 as previouslydiscussed. Brackets 130 a, 130 b and 138 may then be positioned alongaligning rail 140 as desired. Aligning rail 140 may then be mounted to astructure adjacent a window. Aligning rail 140 may be mounted directlyto the structure, using, for example screws or bolts or by attachingaligning rail 140 to brackets mounted to the structure. It is furthercontemplated that aligning rail 140 could be replaced with a woodenboard of equivalent size. Brackets and clutch mechanism may than screwedinto the wooden board.

It is further contemplated that in embodiments where stop rings 134 aand 134 b are positioned around tube 102, brackets 130 a, 130 b and stoprings 134 a, 134 b may be positioned around tube 102 in the order oftheir arrangement. For example, wherein stop rings 134 a and 134 b arepositioned between brackets 130 a and 130 b as shown in FIG. 1, bushing132 a of bracket 130 a may be inserted over an end of tube 102 andpositioned along tube 102 followed by stop ring 134 a, stop ring 134 band then finally bushing 132 b of bracket 130 b. Cords 122 a and 122 bmay then be attached to tube 102 using cord clips 124 a and 124 b.

It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to“one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Therefore, it is emphasized and should be appreciated that two or morereferences to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or “an alternativeembodiment” in various portions of this specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures or characteristics may be combined assuitable in one or more embodiments of the invention.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

1. An apparatus comprising: a tube to facilitate raising and lowering ofa window covering; a rotational drive mechanism coupled to the tube todrive rotation of the tube about an axis of the tube; and an axial drivemechanism coupled to the tube to drive movement of the tube in an axialdirection, the axial drive mechanism circumferentially disposed withinthe tube.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a connector assemblyrotatably couples the tube to the axial drive mechanism.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the axial drive mechanism is dimensioned toadvance the tube in the axial direction a distance equal to a diameterof a lifting cord coupled to the tube with each complete rotation of thetube.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotational drive mechanismcomprises a rotatable housing coupled to an inner surface of the tube.5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein an outer surface of the housingcomprises a groove dimensioned to receive a key extending from an innersurface of the tube.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: astop ring coupled to the tube to limit rotation of the tube.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a sleeve coupled to an end ofthe tube proximal to the rotational drive mechanism.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: a cord clip coupled to an outer surface ofthe tube.
 9. A method comprising: coupling a rotational drive mechanismto a tube for supporting a window covering; and coupling an axial drivemechanism to an inner surface of the tube, the axial drive mechanismdimensioned to drive movement of the tube in an axial direction uponrotation of the tube by the rotational drive mechanism.
 10. The methodof claim 9 wherein the axial drive mechanism is coupled to the tube byrotatably positioning a cylindrical member around the axial drivemechanism and securing the cylindrical member to the tube.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the axial drive mechanism and the cylindricalmember comprise complimentary helical threading dimensioned to advancethe tube in the axial direction a distance equal to a diameter of awindow covering cord coupled to the tube with each complete rotation ofthe tube.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising: coupling a stopring to the tube to limit rotation of the tube.
 13. The method of claim9 further comprising: coupling a sleeve to an end of the tube proximalto the rotational drive mechanism.
 14. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising: coupling a cord clip to an outer surface of the tube tosecure a cord from the window covering to the tube.
 15. A kitcomprising: a tube around which a cord of a window covering ispositioned; a rotational drive mechanism to rotate the tube about anaxis of the tube; an axial drive mechanism to advance the tube in anaxial direction; and a connector to rotatably connect the tube to theaxial drive mechanism.
 16. The kit of claim 15 further comprising: abracket to support the tube.
 17. The kit of claim 15 wherein the axialdrive mechanism is dimensioned to advance the tube in the axialdirection a distance equal to a diameter of the cord coupled to the tubewith each complete rotation of the tube.
 18. The kit of claim 15 furthercomprising: a stop ring to limit rotation of the tube.
 19. The kit ofclaim 15 further comprising: a sleeve dimensioned to protect an end ofthe tube.
 20. The kit of claim 15 further comprising: a cord clip tosecure the cord to an outer surface of the tube.